We all know river street and western ave need some work, the bike lanes are lakes (frozen at this time of year) and pot hole central (I may or may not have broken my collar bone on one). Go tell these people you want bike lanes, and bike accommodations on river street, western ave, and the bridges! These are major bike corridors and need a lot of improvement.

Press release below

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Highway Division Invites You to a Public Information Meeting for the River Street Bridge/Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Honan-Allston Branch Library
300 North Harvard Street, Allston, MA

The purpose of this meeting is to provide an overview of the proposed rehabilitation of the historic River Street and Western Avenue Bridges, introduce MassDOT’s design team, answer questions and gather comments.

The River Street Bridge/Western Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation Project is being undertaken by MassDOT as part of the Commonwealth’s Accelerated Bridge Program. The goals of the project are to improve structural integrity and enhance accessibility. The main objectives are to repair deteriorating elements of the bridges, upgrade structural capacity and improve local street connections and accessibility. The proposed rehabilitation will respect the documented historic status of these landmark structures and preserve as many of the original elements as possible. The River Street Bridge was constructed in 1926 and the Western Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1924. Both bridges are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and serve as primary connections between Cambridge and Boston.

If you have questions or would like more information about the project, please contact Robert Antico, MassDOT Highway Division Project Manager, Robert.Antico@state.ma.us.

To be added to the project email or US Mail distribution lists, please contact Stephanie Boundy, Public Outreach Coordinator for MassDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Program, at 617-973-8049 or Stephanie.Boundy@state.ma.us.

The library is accessible. To request language or access accommodations, please contact Stephanie Boundy at the above email address or phone number at least 10 days in advance. In case of inclement weather, meeting cancellation announcements will be posted on http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/.

Please share this notice with others who may be interested in the project.

Get out there and let them know about your bike related needs, and wants! A squeaky wheel gets the greasing!

Accelerated Bridge Program: January 14, 2009, 6pm

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has scheduled a public meeting to discuss projects the agency will undertake as part of Governor Patrick’s $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program. DCR projects in the Accelerated Bridge Program include the repair or replacement of 29 bridges and preservation work on an additional 50 bridges. At the meeting, DCR officials will provide an overview of the projects, outline the community process, and highlight the schedule of upcoming public meetings. DCR held public meetings earlier this year to discuss the repairs and rehabilitation work planned in 2009 on the BU Bridge and Craigie Dam and Drawbridges, both of which cross over the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge. Other Charlers River Basin projects planned for 2009 include the Magazine Beach pedestrian bridge in Cambridge and the Mystic Valley Parkway over Alewife Brook in Somerville. The meeting will be held at the Boston Public Library, Rabb Auditorium.

MassBike is working closely with the DCR to ensure that these projects work for bicyclists, so please consider attending this meeting to show public support for the inclusion of bicycling.

Click here for more info about the Accelerated Bridge Program